Four J&K police personnel suspended over POCSO case compromise allegations

In a significant disciplinary action, four police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ramgarh Police Station in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, have been suspended. This measure was taken due to allegations of dereliction of duty and facilitating a compromise in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The suspensions underscore a zero-tolerance approach towards alleged lapses in handling crimes against children.. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samba, Anuj Kumar, ordered the suspensions and initiated a departmental inquiry to ascertain the facts and fix responsibility. The suspended personnel include Inspector Bhopinder Singh, the Ramgarh SHO, a probationary Sub-Inspector (PSI), and two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs). They have been attached to the District Police Lines (DPL) pending the outcome of the inquiry.. Sources indicate that the case involves the alleged sexual exploitation of a cognitively disabled minor boy by three youths. Following the incident, the victim's family reportedly approached the police. However, instead of promptly registering a case, there were alleged attempts to settle the matter through a compromise. This alleged mishandling prompted the family to approach senior authorities, including the Child Welfare Committee and the SSP Samba.. Upon intervention by senior officials, a case under the POCSO Act was registered on May 30, and the three accused youths were arrested. The victim was admitted to AIIMS Vijaypur for treatment. SSP Samba Anuj Kumar stated that action was taken immediately after the matter came to his notice and that an internal inquiry found that police personnel had attempted to hush up the matter instead of ensuring prompt registration of the case. He assured that further investigation is underway and strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible.. As part of administrative changes following the suspensions, Inspector Ajay Singh Chib has been posted as the new SHO of Ramgarh Police Station. Additionally, a Special Police Officer (SPO) has been transferred to Goran Police Chowki.. The POCSO Act, 2012, is India's primary legislation designed to protect children under 18 years from sexual abuse, exploitation, and pornography. It mandates special courts for speedy trials and prioritizes the child's emotional safety. Key provisions include mandatory reporting of offenses by anyone aware of them, recording statements in a manner that avoids re-traumatizing the child, and imposing strict punishments, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for aggravated offenses. The Act also includes provisions for the rehabilitation of victims, encompassing medical care, counseling, and compensation. The alleged facilitation of a compromise in a POCSO case is a serious breach of these legal provisions, as negotiated settlements are not permissible under the Act.. This incident highlights the critical importance of handling cases involving child sexual abuse with utmost sensitivity, adherence to legal procedures, and a commitment to ensuring justice for victims. The swift action taken by the Samba police leadership demonstrates an intent to uphold accountability within the force and reinforce trust in the justice system, particularly in sensitive cases involving children. The ongoing departmental inquiry is expected to shed further light on the extent of the alleged compromise and the individuals involved, with further action promised based on the findings.. These reports were published around June 6, 2026, by various news outlets including Daily Excelsior, thehawk.in, Greater Kashmir, Kashmir News Observer, Kashmir Life, Social News XYZ, Statetimes, and Rediff.com, all corroborating the key facts of the suspension and the reasons behind it.

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